How Swiss are Swiss companies?

By 2015, half of all top managers in Swiss companies will be foreigners. Do you think the prized “Swissness” of these companies is being eroded, or is it a positive development that the best managers are chosen regardless of their nationality?

Overseas executives already account for two-thirds of management in large multinationals and top blue chip firms headquartered in Switzerland. Smaller companies are also hiring more foreign recruits that possess the know-how to expand into new markets.

The Schilling Report

Foreign executives are increasingly drawn to Switzerland, lured by high living standards and the international reputation of the Swiss corporate brand.

Export oriented Swiss companies are also on the lookout for the best international talent as they expand into new markets and to make up for shortages of highly skilled recruits in the local workforce.

Recruitment firm Guido Schilling compiles an annual report of company hiring habits drawn from a representational survey of the largest 116 Swiss firms.

The 2012 report found that 45 per cent of all top executives in Swiss firms were foreign.